Thousands lend support to anti-dam march
Thousands of conservationists yesterday turned out in Bangkok as a conservation group ended a 10-day protest march against the Mae Wong dam in Nakhon Sawan.
They turned out to give moral support to Sasin Chalermlarp, secretary-general of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, as he and his supporters ended their march at the Pathumwan intersection.
The group, which marched through hostile weather conditions to reach the city, covered a 388km distance after setting off from Khampaeng Phet province on Sept 10.
Supporters gave the group a rousing reception, as bank of news cameras turned out to record the event.
Drizzling afternoon rain could not dampen the spirit of the conservationists, some of whom came clad in white t-shirts bearing a no-dam logo.
‘‘I am not a hardcore conservationist. But I think it is time to protect forests, which have become rare in Thailand,’’ said supporter Pimpimol Kongkreingkrai, who learnt about Mr Sasin’s rally on Facebook.
The gathering yesterday was a mix of young urbanites and conservationists — many of them adults who once pro- tested against plans for the Nam Chon dam in Kanchanaburi province several decades ago.
‘‘I have not seen a gathering this big for over 10 years,’’ said Mr Sasin, who appeared exhausted but cheerful.
‘‘The scene speaks for itself. People who want to build dams must think really hard before trying to build them.’’
His rally attracted public attention, with supporters spreading the word on social media. Natural Resources and Environment Ministry officials met him for talks after his group arrived yesterday.
Meanwhile, a network of 25 conservation groups yesterday sent a letter asking the government to suspend the project because environmental impact assessments (EIA) required before the dam can gain approval are not yet complete. Mae Wong dam was initiated almost 30 years ago.
Conservationists oppose it because the dam would be built in Mae Wong National Park, considered one of the richest forests in the country.
A previous EIA proposal for the dam was voted down as it was incomplete, and an alternative drawn up. The current government revived the project as part of its water management plan. On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi insisted it would go ahead.